Film #178: Ant-Man (2015)

This was the fourth movie I watched on the plane back to the UK last year – and after the last two failures of judgement I decided to go for something a little light-hearted that I had seen good reviews for. I’m not a big fan of superhero movies in general – I kind of balk whenever I see things related to the Avengers and Iron Man in general, and this movie is set in the same universe. It’s not that I’m opposed to them, though, it’s just that… I guess I find the fans a bit rabid. Same reason I’ve gone right off BBC’s Sherlock – in itself it wouldn’t be so bad, but the fans have a screw loose.

Anyway, despite him often playing asshole straight boys, I have a little soft spot for Paul Rudd, if I’m honest. He plays the titular character Ant-Man, at first an ex-con just released from prison who can’t hold down a job because of his previous convictions, and later a superhero who can shrink down to tiny sizes, and for some reason can control ants with his mind. I think we’re just supposed to go with that, and my sleep-deprived mind was perfectly happy to do so, as I still found the story compelling enough.

It’s no masterpiece, but I wouldn’t expect that of it. It’s popcorn-fodder and happy in that role. More than anything, it was fun and not always what you’d expect from a superhero – he has characteristics of an anti-hero too.

(I’m kind of looking forward to Deadpool for the ultimate anti-hero movie, but it’s still not out on these fair shores. (I have two options – wait another two weeks or torrent it like any forward-thinking global citizen…) Soon, though.)

Anyway, I enjoyed this. I can’t say for sure if it was only in comparison to the travesties that came before it on my journey, but on a basic level I felt more comfortable watching it, like I didn’t have to put up with bad production values and acting, and I could just enjoy it for what it is.